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Admission Requirements

Applying to the early childhood education program

Admission Requirements

The Early Childhood Education program has a selective admission policy. In addition to meeting all requirements for admission to the Teacher Education Program, those wishing to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education must complete a separate application after completing 45 credit hours, having CFD 160 completed or in progress, earning a GPA of 2.75, completing the Missouri Educator Profile (MEP), and passing all sections of the Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA). In addition to the application form, students will write a one-page essay describing their interest in a career in Early Childhood Education. More details are available on the application form itself which is available in the Education Advisement Center, Hill Hall 202, and in the department office in Hill Hall 301A. Applications for the program must be submitted October 1 or March 15. As this is a competitive program, admission is not guaranteed.

Transfer students and postbaccalaureate students must also apply for admission to the Early Childhood Education program. Transfer students must meet with advisors in the Education Advisement Center and postbaccalaureate students must meet with staff from the Teacher Certification Office in Hill Hall 203 to determine when they are eligible to complete the application and essay. All students must adhere to the deadlines stated above.

The application and essay will be reviewed by a committee appointed by the Department Head. Criteria for selection will be based on GPA, written essay, and passing scores on all four sub-tests of the Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA) Missouri State Board of Education entry examination. Students will be notified of the decision in writing. Students who are not accepted into the program may reapply in the following semester.

Retention Requirement

Students are required to maintain a combined (Missouri State and transfer) GPA of 2.75 to continue in the Early Childhood Education program. If a student drops below the required 2.75 GPA, the student will be dismissed from the program and may reapply once the GPA requirement is once again met.

To begin course work in the field of early childhood education, you initially need to beadmitted to Missouri State. Before completing 75 hours, you must also be admitted to a degree program.

The early childhood education program asks that you fulfill both teacher education admission requirements and the program specific application process outlined below.

Certification eligibility requirements

Completion of certification requirements is a four-step process. Students who receive a certification recommendation must meet the standards for certification eligibility as outlined below:

A. Requirements for Eligibility to Enroll in Professional Education Courses: Before a student can enroll in the introductory methods courses (ECE 304), the student must have:

1. A combined (Missouri State and transfer) GPA of 2.75 or higher.

2. Family Care Safety Registry report on file prior to any clinical experience placement. Contact College of Education Student Services Office, 200 Hill Hall. A small fee is charged for this report.

B. Requirements for Admission to and Continuance in the Teacher Education Program: Students who plan to complete teacher certification requirements must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program. Eligibility is automatically monitored when enrolling in ECE 304. Admission to the Program is required before students are allowed to begin additional courses in the professional education component (with the exception of EDT 365 which may be taken concurrently with EDC 345).

The criteria used to determine admission to the Teacher Education Program are outlined below. In addition to having completed at least 30 semester hours of university coursework, the student must have:

1. Earn a combined (both Missouri State and transfer) GPA of 2.75 or higher. A major (certificate subject area) GPA of 2.75 or higher.

2. Earned a passing score on all four sub-tests of the Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA) examination and completed the Missouri Educator Profile (MEP). Refer to the MoGEA website for details.

Declaring an education major

Declare or change your major to early childhood education by visiting the Academic Advisement Center, University Hall 109. Meet with an advisor in the Professional Education Advisement Center to discuss admission requirements and to develop a plan of study.

When you declare your major, you will be listed as a pre-major until you satisfy all admission requirements.